March 21, 1917 - I'll let you into a little secret. Don't tell any one.

Here is a letter filled with information about Joe's house hunting. He also brings up, as he often does, his food intake. Here is the car that Joe went out for a ride in which Joe  mentions at the beginning of this letter.

 1917 Pierce Arrow Roadster

March 31,1917.

Darling:

This is really the first day of spring-when maiden's thoughts turn to fancy, and youth's to love etcetera, as the poet would say. And in addition I received your lovely letter. What more can a mortal want? Lots, I hear you say. Yes, and better yet, a house on one of those lots. Yizza boy.

I have just returned from Shelton(l2:40)P.M. and will go to New Haven this afternoon in a nice new Pierce Arrow Roadster.   You know that I sometimes think that I'll get a two-passenger car and then again a five. I think it depends on just what's what, I think of a larger one when thinking of taking friends out; and then when I find them heckling you, well perhaps my nature isn't so generous in that direction, that's all.

Miss Reitter has been ill since Saturday, and we are again short-handed. It is a slight attack of grippe and perhaps she'll be back again this week.

I'm very happy that you will be able, or rather that you were able last night to try to return to your little bed early.

Monday night I went to Shelton and worked with Mr. Kneen and the City Clerk till way late; last night the meeting kept up till after twelve; so to-night I'll try to repeat your performance.

I can hardly tell about Thursday night just yet; but the phone is still in use, and maybe I'll change my mind about not calling on the phone again; your letters sound so good and I know that you are feeling that way.

But I'll be in New York early Saturday afternoon if you have tickets for the recital, Please let me know whether you have secured the same, so that I may plan accordingly. My idea would be to take the train about 12:46 arriving somewhere about two; and then again I might be able to arrange to get away earlier, if Miss Reitter returns this week, as we hope she will.

Now for some pretty good news. Pretty good I told you, and remember it is only news. I spent quite some time looking over the Miller house in Shelton. That is the one that sets back from the street about 200 feet, with the large lawn in front filled with shade trees and many rose bushes, including three large magnolias, almost ready to bloom. The house has not been used for some time, and naturally -will require new painting and papering inside. At present it seems to be frescoed, and has very pretty electric fixtures, a new steam boiler, instantaneous hot water heater and many other convenient appliances. Of course, it is a large place, with many rooms, and I'll talk it over with you before anything is done. The price of it is considerable, and I am figuring what the expense of the upkeep would be to see whether we ought to consider it in view of that fact. In the meantime also I have been conferring with another man about a house that I think you’ll like much better, and will undoubtedly have definite “dope” when I see you.

I'll let you into a little secret. Don't tell any one. I got in very late last night and did not retire till two. Having a court appointment early this morning I made the seven o'clock train, but had to rush away without “breakfast”. When I arrived here I found both girls out, and Charles and the Doctor gone for lunch, they assuming that I'd arrive about noon, and await their return. Well, they haven't returned as yet and so I am waiting.

I was interrupted several times by clients calling both personally and on the phone, so it is now two and not a mouthful since yesterday afternoon, when I remember distinctly that I had two poached eggs on toast and a cup of tea for supper, only. Yet when I get a chance to look anything that resembles a square meal in the face, and seem to relish it, the eighth wonder of the wonder­ful world seems to be happening, according to the comment. And to tell the cold truth, it is so late that I have no desire for food, and presume that I'll wind up with a hungry headache before the day is out. The only saving feature of it is the fact that I'll take the ride to New Haven, and the open air will help some.

I saw a couple of cartoons in the paper and am sending them along; not that the match the kind and quality of yours, but mere-that they might make you smile at the suggestions.
In the meantime, enjoy yourself and like the spring, keep up your happy mood and radiate happiness as you so ably can. With lots of affection, I am

Your
Joe

The next letter is March 23

December 27, 1916 - I'll take the oath of office for the following positions, Corporation Counsel, City Attorney, and Justice of the Peace.

As you can see from the title of this post Joe was very busy in establishing himself in the Connecticut legal community. Glad he kept his sense of humor thru it all. Notice the signature or lack of one at the end of the letter. This is not the last we will hear of that.

Wednesday noon.

My thweetheart:

This is as Barnet would say it. And speaking of Barnet reminds me that I have added another accomplishment to those Stella told you about. Whether it will be of any interest is another matter. It is this, Stella asked that I take Barnet out and get him a haircut at my barber's. So I did it yester­day. The kid was so fussy and moved around so, that I had to hold him in the chair and hold his little bean steady, with the result that he got a real Buster Brown hair cut.

And yesterday afternoon Stella was out shopping, and took Barnet and Myra along. Can you imagine little Myra coming down the long hall dressed up exactly like the doll Aunt Helen gave her except that she wore blue, and with a shape a la Joe Weber. I almost said a la Uncle Joe, but didn't dare. She was lugging her baby (babby she says it) under her little chubby arm. The rest of the toys were in the car. Lucile is still at home with her cold and was not in the party that went to "gamma's" for the toys. They bothered all morning so Stella packed up the two and started out to get them. Stella will probably (this ought to be a new paragraph) write you; when I mentioned it to her, she said that between her being sick herself, and Lucile's illness, and her Charitable Society she was far behind in her social correspondence. Barnet volunteered to write, and I would not be surprised that he would paint a letter to you in his own peculiar sanscript.

I received a post card from a man in Shelton this morning
offering to sell his house to me. Doesn't it sound good?

But that is not all. In the first place he expects to move out next summer or fall; and in the second place he offers it to ma because he heard I was looking for a house, and wants to sell it to give me a chance to make an investment, offering to lease it from me. But the best part of the joke, for that is all that I consider it, is that knowing the house, and its location, and also its make-up, I think that with some very material repairs and considerable painting, it might do very nicely for a garage, but there are a few too many rooms. No dearie, when I get some place to live in, it may not be the equal of the mansion you really deserve, but it will be as nearly as we can find it, a pretty little home where we can be happy and have some of the comforts that we ought to expect to make up happy and contented. And, would you believe it, I am optimist enough to think that something like that is imminent, and very soon? Yizzir.

What did you think of those cartoons I sent to you? I had an idea of doing the same to-day but the artist wasn't there with the punch enough to make me laugh, so I'll wait.

I saw Mr. Kneen this morning, and was informed that the officials appointed by him will be duly sworn in next Monday at ten A.M. After that there, will be a very short meeting of the Board of Aldermen and then I'll be ready to start for New York.

Thinking of being sworn in reminds me that I'll take the
oath of office for the following positions, Corporation Counsel, City   Attorney, and Justice of the Peace.

Last night Doctor Rosen was unanimously elected president of our Bnai Brith Lodge, to succeed me, for the ensuing year. Charles was elected as one of the three delegates to the District Grand Lodge meeting to be held at Buffalo next February,

Louis will be in New York at a physician's convention or a surgeon's convention, I don't know which, this week end, and I think I'll have him stop at the Club to give the boy a taste of regular New York Club life. He and his cousin Louis Shapiro, the young doctor that called on us, will perhaps be together, and unless they have made other plans, do you think it would be a good idea to have them up for Monday? Of course, I haven't talked to Louis about it, not having seen him for a few days.

Yesterday I sent a booklet to Abe, and think that he will probably like it. It's like one that I carry.  Do you want one, too?

Judge Wilder, did you meet him while here? just called and is waiting for me to go out to dinner, so will close at this point. With kindest regards and love and all the sweet things that usually go with it,
I am
Your

The next letters will be on December 29

December 19, 1916 - Believe me, I’d like to take a trip around the world with you

Here is a letter where Joe and Helen are working out plans for New Years Eve. Very chatty today.

December 19, 1916.­­­
Dearest girlie:
I received your long letter this morning, and know that you have been patiently awaiting mine in vain today; but this will undoubtedly reach you before nightfall today, and perhaps in a slight way make up for its absence this morning.

Yesterday was the hardest that I ever saw. My but there were several brain-racking problems to solve that kept me busy in Shelton alone till almost the whole day went by. And upon my arrival at Bridgeport at 4:30 I found several witnesses waiting for me to try a case that finished the afternoon, and immediately I met Mr. Kneen and several others at 6 at the Stratfield and went to a Past Masters Dinner and annual meeting that kept me till near twelve. When could I write? Do you know that I got a shave, by actual time, from 6:14 to 6:23 yesterday. You ought to see the fine collection of scratches on my physiog now as a result; but it's my fault, I suppose.

My plans for the week end this week are to get to New York Saturday afternoon about 5:36, as usual sometimes, and stay over till Monday night, and mayhap Tuesday morning. How's that? Too long, think you?

Of course Monday afternoon we'll see the Opera or hear it, which is correct?, and I have no other plans at present, except to leave it to your judgment. You see my reason is a good one. Yesterday morning when I went to Shelton, the cars were stalled for about half an hour in the morning (near 7:30) which means that I eat in the cold, and then for another hour or two, because the power  was weak, dragged along in an icy car, so that I have one of the sweetest and cutest colds you ever saw. You are not to blame for this in the least, sitting a couple of hours in a very draughty car that has its windows all frozen up, and where it seems that the atmosphere is worse inside than out by far, is a good way to get a cold. There are no cuss words on the typewriter so cannot express my feelings the way the occasion would seem to justify it.

Tomorrow, I have a meeting of the special committee to arrange for our Bar Banquet for February, at five o’clock, and don't know just when we'll get through. It's a sure thing that I cannot get away till around six, and that would get me into New York somewhere by eight, if the trains are running on time. Do you think I should make it? I'll think it over and see how matters develop; and if the opportunity presents itself, I’ll run down to the big city to see my little girl.

As for New Year, that is another problem. As I have already told you, I am expected at Shelton on the first at ten o’clock. There is a train out of New York Monday morning at about 7:40 that gets to Bridgeport about 9:18 and to Derby about 9:40 to get me over the River in time; but I'd have to stay at the Club in order to make a train that early. And I really feel that I'd probably return to New York for the rest of the day, what do you know of it? Or do you think that I should rather leave Sunday night as usual, and so not rush, and come back Monday afternoon for the day? The idea to eat the New Year meal or whatever you call it in your house is not a bad idea at all. One thing sure, we would have real good food, a real homelike party, and all the fun we could make, perhaps without the usual bunch of drunks that you'll run into at any kind of a celebration on such occasions; but I'll try anything like the party you suggest once, and will the arrangements in your hands. Whatever will please you will make me happy, so go to it. If you would rather go out, I'm satisfied, but talk it over with the folks, and decide and I'll probably see you in a day or two and we can then go over the matter; but if it requires immediate action for tickets etc. why you are well qualified to attend to it. Believe me, I’d like to take a trip around the world with you beginning at once, but it cannot be done now, so why should a little thing like a New Year's celebration bother me?

The clippings are fine especially the underscored parts, and I'll read them over again this evening, though I saw them already.

Do you notice that the keys sometimes look blurred? It is because I am thinking of so much to say that my fingers cannot write fast enough and sometimes (too frequently) three or four keys will jump up at once and get stuck together, which makes me grit my teeth, and utter your rather now usual expression of dissatisfaction.

Mr. Kneen suggested that he is going to Boston tomorrow on City matters, and inquired whether I had the day open. He would probably leave on the midnight train, but is not certain himself
as yet, so that I do not see how I can get away this time of the year unless it is urgent.

I shall try this afternoon, if I have a few moments, to see what's what about a house in Shelton again. I think and talk considerably about it, and try to land something, but so far have nothing very tangible. Isn't it peculiar? I'll get mad pretty soon, and then-well, maybe I'll get one without getting mad.

Rather a long letter for Tuesday; but you deserve it.

I'm awfully hungry and will go out to lunch now, and inci­dentally, mail this letter to you.

With heaps of love and kisses, till I see you again, I am
Your
Joe

The next letter is December 21